Starter homes: starting at €275,000, here are four Cork homes for first-time buyers

Three Cork semi-detached houses and an 1850s cottage

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026 - 08:35

This could be an ideal spot for a commuter wanting a country town home, writes Trish Dromey

Macroom, Cork

No 100 Crann Darach, Macroom
€350,000
Size	103 sq m (1,114 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	3
BER	A2

It’s quite possible that 100 Crann Darach, Meadowlands in Macroom is the only A-rated three-bed semi with a guide price of €350,000 currently available anywhere in Cork county.

Selling agent, Barry Nagle of Global Properties, says that the two-year-old house is the type of property that always attracts interest from people working in Wilton and Ballincollig who are willing to commute to buy the type of property they can’t afford in the city.

“Most of the viewings booked so far are with CUH employees — properties in this development usually get a lot of interest from CUH employees," he reveals.

Purchased by its owners in 2024, No 100 Crann Darach is a modern, well-kept 103 sq metre property. "They only lived in it for 18 months ago so it still looks like new," says Mr Nagle.

At the front it has a bright timber-floored sitting room with a large window and to the rear a tiled kitchen/diner with white contemporary units. Downstairs there’s a guest WC; while upstairs has a bathroom and three bedrooms, one en suite. Outside it has a paved parking area and a garden.

Located within a 15-minute walk of Macroom town centre, it’s 29 km from Ballincollig and 37 km from CUH No 100, which sold for €309,999 in 2024, is the first resale of the 39 houses in Crann Darach.

VERDICT: A very attractive option for a buyer willing to commute.

Mount Oval, Cork

No 51 Maple Court Mount Oval, Cork
€320,000
Size	Size: 77 sq m (830 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	1
BER	B3

The popularity of Mount Oval in Rochestown is largely due to its location but also quite probably to the fact that it offers properties to suit a wide variety of budgets.

Just two months after a detached five-bed house in the development (No 5 Mount Oval) sold for a record €1.105 million price, a two-bed duplex located within a 10-minute walk from it, has come on the market with a more affordable guide of €320,000.

“No 51 Maple Court is a very well maintained owner-occupied property," says Michaella Buckley of O’Mahony Walsh, explaining that the majority of those viewing it are young couples looking for a first home, and that one of these couples has just pushed bidding up to €340,000.

Built in the early 2000s, it’s a 77sq metre end of terrace duplex with a B3 BER rating. “The current owners have done some redecorating since buying it 2021 and have recently refurbished the bathroom," reveals Ms Buckley.

The lower level of the property has a timber floored sitting room with a fireplace, a teal blue colour scheme and a bay window at the front. Double doors at the rear open into a kitchen with white units and doors to a balcony with views of green spaces and the Douglas Estuary in the distance.

On the upper floor there’s an upgraded bathroom and two bedrooms — one at the front and one at the rear.

Located within four km of Douglas village, the property is within easy reach of the South Ring Road and around five km from the Jack Lynch Tunnel.

The Property Price Register shows 51 Maple Court selling for €240,000 in 2021.

VERDICT: Mount Oval properties of all kinds are in high demand.

Glenbrook, Co Cork

The Lodge, Glenbrook
€275,000
Size	90 sq m (968 sq ft)
Bedrooms	2
Bathrooms	2
BER	D1

This 1850s cottage located within a few minutes’ walk from the waterfront in Glenbrook could be an option for a buyer in search of an affordable home.

Seeking offers of €275,000 for The Lodge, John Corbett, of Cohalan Downing, says it’s a well-kept owner-occupied property which has been fitted with double glazing and a new boiler in recent years.

Accommodation includes a living room, kitchen/diner, WC, bathroom, and two bedrooms. A road-front property, it doesn’t have a garden.

VERDICT: Affordable and within waterfront reach, it could attract downsizers and young couples.

Glanmire, Cork

13 St Joseph’s View, Riverstown
€335,000
Size	84 q m (904 sq ft)
Bedrooms	3
Bathrooms	1
BER	D2

Selling points for 13 St Joseph’s View, Riverstown Glanmire include proximity to the Dunkettle Interchange and a significantly larger garden than you would find in a modern three-bed semi.

A 1960s built property which needs modernisation, it’s new to the market withPaul Fenton of Sherry FitzGerald who is seeking offers of €335,000.

An 84 sq metre house with a D2 BER, its accommodation includes a sitting room, a kitchen/diner, a bathroom and three bedrooms.